Product Description

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Church discipline is essential to building a healthy church. So how exactly do we practice church discipline?

Jonathan Leeman helps us face the endless variety of circumstances and sins for which no scriptural case study exists, sins that don't show up on any list and need a biblical framework to be corrected appropriately in love.

Here is a contemporary and concise how-to guide that provides a theological framework for understanding and implementing disciplinary measures in the local church, along with several examples of real-life situations and the corresponding responses.

Publisher's Description

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Provides an accessible framework for understanding church discipline, offering nine case studies and several practical considerations for leading a church through disciplinary situations with grace and truth.

Author Bio

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Jonathan Leeman (PhD, University of Wales) is the editorial director for 9Marks and an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist in Washington, DC. He has written for a number of publications and is the author or editor of a number books. He is also an occasional lecturer at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and teaches adjunctively for the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jonathan lives with his wife and four daughters in a suburb of Washington, DC.

Jonathan Leeman (PhD, University of Wales) is the editorial director for 9Marks and an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist in Washington, DC. He has written for a number of publications and is the author or editor of a number books. He is also an occasional lecturer at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and teaches adjunctively for the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jonathan lives with his wife and four daughters in a suburb of Washington, DC.

Endorsements

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Leeman airs the dirty laundry of our lives and talks about how to clean it up. He ventures into the tough area of pastoral application, which is sure to rouse good discussions, but again and again I found myself convinced. You will not fail to be helped by this book. Brief and biblical, wise and practicalthis is the book on church discipline weve been looking for.
-Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington DC; President, 9Marks

Far too few biblically grounded, pastorally sensitive books on church discipline remain in print today. I know of none that is as exegetically accurate, practically relevant, and filled with real-life case studies of how churches should deal with a wide variety of common situations. On top of all this, Leeman is helpfully succinct and remarkably clear. Highly recommended!
-Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

This book is an outstanding, one-of-a-kind theological work. Leeman has shown that church discipline is an essential dimension of the disciple-making process, and thus an extension of the preaching of the gospel itself. He shows that our overly-narrow focus on the number of decisions might actually be hindering us from guiding people in the repentance that leads to life. I believe this will be the definitive work on church discipline, and our elders plan to use this work as our guide.
-J. D. Greear, Lead Pastor, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina

One of the most neglected activities in the church today is the ministry of loving, courageous, and redemptive church discipline. This book provides a clear vision and practical guidelines for this vital aspect of life together in the body of Christ. I have seen many people freed from entangling sin by churches that lived out these principles, and I pray that more and more churches will recommit themselves to this restorative ministry.
-Ken Sande, President, Peacemaker Ministries

Until such a time as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ becomes, by definition, a disciplined church, it will remain largely the undisciplined church. Leeman, of 9Marks, has provided another perceptive and important guide to establishing a healthy church through the exercise of unique Christian responsibilities, love, and discipline. The pastor with a desire to see a healthy church will profit immensely from this read.
-Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jonathan Leeman has become a discerning reader of the contemporary church. He combines biblical truth with sage counsel in this much-needed book on church discipline. If youve been afraid of that subject in your church, or unsure of how to lovingly correct sinning saints, this book provides the biblical argument and practical advice you need to get started well. This book will fire your imagination, stir your soul, and light your path.
-Thabiti M. Anyabwile, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman; author, The Decline of African American Theology

Many different ideas enter the minds of Christians when they hear the words 'church discipline'punishment, judgment, critical, unloving, excommunication. Jonathan Leeman sets the record straight by explaining what Jesus meant when he first introduced this concept of spiritual accountability. Leeman explains the purpose of church discipline and why it is necessary. The case studies illustrating situations requiring church discipline are worth the price of the book!
-J. Carl Laney, Western Seminary; author, A Guide to Church Discipline

I am a pastor who read this book, and was so impressed that I asked the congregation to read this book. About 15-20% of the congregation did read the book. We held five one hour discussions sessions on this book. I believe church discipline is unfortunately an often neglected topic in the life of the church for a plethora of reasons. From my perspective, as a pastor entrusted to shepherd God's flock, God calls me exegete Scripture, and let it teach, correct, rebuke, and train the children of God in righteousness. Scripture tells me I will have to give an account for the people I oversee. (Hebrews 13:17) I take this calling as a pastor seriously, therefore, I think church discipline is important for myself and my congregation to wrestle with, no matter how uncomfortable.

I believe some pastors may be fearful about approaching this topic of church discipline. I understand, I am scared too. I believe people in churches may lack biblical knowledge, and are caught off guard with no category to begin thinking about this topic. This book helps provide the railroad tracks to lay a foundation for a discussion in how we can hold each other accountable as we pursue God together.

I found this book extremely helpful in my context, United States 21st century ministry. Regardless of your emotional feelings about this topic, please give this topic serious consideration. Jesus' reputation is at stake, and the world is watching our lives. May we represent God well.

There are other, more detailed resources available on the subject of church discipline, but Jonathan Leeman has done a great service by presenting a small volume that is able to serve as a manual for engaging in "the hard work" of ministry. The book's subtitle, "How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus" is the key to understanding why church discipline should even be a matter of concern. The reputation of Christ is at stake within every local assembly because it is the visible representation of His presence on earth during the present age. As the world interprets the church, so it understands the Savior who gave His life to build it. Generally speaking, by the time a local church senses its need to practice discipline, it needs a hands-on "how to" guide to help it avoid inevitable pitfalls. The first part of Leeman's book establishes the framework that needs to be in place before discipline can be biblically implemented. In part two, he presents several "test cases" giving practical illustrations of how the discipline process works. Although the principle of church discipline is firmly founded in the New Testament (beginning with the essential nature of church membership), the author makes it clear that a "cookie cutter" approach does not dictate every disciplinary decision. Spirit-guided wisdom and biblical instruction must always go hand-in-hand. Leeman's concluding section offers counsel regarding the need to instruct before implementing discipline (something all-too frequently overlooked by well-meaning pastors and church leaders) and the importance of properly organizing the church's membership documents in order to avoid disputes and misunderstandings when discipline cases arise. As our own church moves toward elder-led congregational rule, this little book will no doubt command much discussion. This volume is part of the 9Marks small book series which spell out the essentials for building a healthy church. They all, and especially this one, are highly recommended!